Location announcement for mobile devices

Abstract

A network includes a switch and at least one network element to track the locations of wireless devices that interact with the network. The network further includes at least one network element to convert location information for a wireless device obtained from the at least one network element to track locations to a voice announcement, and to interact with the switch to provide the announcement to at least one of a calling wireless device and a called wireless device.

Description

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/685,616, filed Oct. 14, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,742,757, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety into this disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to providing location information about a wireless device.

BACKGROUND

Wireless telephones are devices capable of transmitting and receiving voice and/or data (non-voice) information to and from a network without the use of wires, cables, or other tangible transmission media. So-called cellular telephones are a common example of wireless phones.

Wireless telephones and the networks by which they communicate operate according to various technologies, including analog mobile phone service (AMPS), circuit switching, packet switching, wireless local area network (WLAN) protocols such as IEEE 802.11 compliant networks, wireless wide-area networks (WWAN), short-range RF systems such as Bluetooth, code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), spread-spectrum, global system for mobile communications (GSM), high-speed circuitswitched data (HCSD), general packet radio system (GPRS), enhanced data GSM environment (EDGE), and universal mobile telecommunications service (UMTS). Of course, these are only examples, and other technologies may be employed in wireless communication as well.

Herein, the terms ‘wireless device’ and ‘mobile device’ are meant to include wireless telephones (including cellular, mobile, and satellite telephones), and also to include a variety of other wireless devices, including wireless web-access telephones, automobile, laptop, and desktop computers that communicate wirelessly, and wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs). In general, the term ‘wireless device’ refers to any device with wireless communication capabilities.

Many companies produce wireless telephones and other wireless devices. Among the more well-known producers are Nokia®, Ericsson®, Motorola®, Panasonic®, Palm® Computer, and Handspring®. A variety of producers also provide wireless devices comprising versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating software.

A network that serves wireless devices may provide a location service. For example, mapAMobile provides such a service in the United Kingdom. The location service may make it possible to geographically locate wireless devices that interact with the network. For example, the network may identify the location of a caller's wireless device (e.g. “Gillman Street in Redmond, Wash.”) and provide this location information to a called party's wireless device. However, due to constraints in the amount of data that may be communicated during an arriving call, it remains a challenge to provide location information to wireless devices in a manner that is both timely and detailed.

SUMMARY

The following summary is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Thereafter, a detailed description of illustrated embodiments is presented, which will permit one skilled in the relevant art to make and use aspects of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art can obtain a full appreciation of aspects of the invention from the subsequent detailed description, read together with the figures, and from the claims (which follow the detailed description).

A network includes a switch and at least one network element to track the locations of wireless devices that interact with the network. The network also includes at least one network element to convert location information to a voice announcement, and to interact with the switch to provide the announcement to at least one of a calling wireless device and a called wireless device.

The network element to track the locations of wireless devices that interact with the network may be a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC). The network element to convert the location information to a voice announcement, and to interact with the switch to provide the announcement to at least one of a calling wireless device and a called wireless device, may be an Intelligent Peripheral (IP).

The network may further include a network element to obtain name information corresponding to at least one of the calling wireless device and a called wireless device, and the network element to provide the announcement may convert the name information and the location information to the voice announcement.

The network element to obtain name information may be a Line Information Database (LIDB).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

In the drawings, the same reference numbers and acronyms identify elements or acts with the same or similar functionality for ease of understanding and convenience. To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless network involving multiple base station subsystems and network switching subsystems.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an arrangement to provide location announcement.

FIG. 4 is an action diagram of an embodiment of a method to provide location announcement to a caller.

FIG. 5 is an action diagram of an embodiment of a method to provide location announcement to a called party.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are block diagrams of embodiments of an intelligent peripheral and a service control point, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with respect to various embodiments. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding of, and enabling description for, these embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the invention. References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless network. A wireless device 110 communicates with a base station subsystem (BSS) 115 comprising base station controllers (BSC) 120 coupled to one or more base transceiver stations (BTS) 125. In turn, each BTS 125 is coupled to one or antennae 130.

The BTS 125 includes transmitting and receiving equipment to create a radio interface between the wireless network and terminal devices. Although the antennae 130 are shown as separate elements for clarity, it is common in the industry to collectively refer to the antennae 130, transmitter, and receiver, as the BTS.

The BSC 120 may perform management of the radio interface by allocating channels, managing handover from one BTS to another, paging the wireless device, and transmitting connection-related signaling data.

The networking and switching subsystem (NSS) 135 of a wireless network comprises a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 140, a Home Location Registry (HLR) 145, and a Visitor Location Registry (VLR) 150. Switching and network management functions are carried out by the NSS 135. The NSS 135 may also act as a gateway between the wireless network and other networks such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), the Internet, other wireless networks, and the Public Data Network (PDN). These other networks are collectively referred to as Internetwork Communication Media (INCM) 114.

The MSC 140 is a switching mechanism that routes communications and manages the network. In GPRS networks, GPRS support nodes (GSNs) such as Switching GSNs (SGSNs) and Gateway GSNs (GGSNs) may provide switching operations similar to those provided by the MSC 140. There can be many switches 140 in a communication network, each responsible for the signaling required to set up, maintain, and terminate connections to wireless devices within the geographical area served by the switch 140. Each MSC (switch) 140 may manage several BSC 120. The MSC 140 is coupled to a Home Location Registry (HLR) 145 and a Visitor Location Registry (VLR) 150. The HLR 145 is also coupled to the VLR 150. The HLR 145 and VLR 150 may comprise certain dynamic or temporary subscriber data such as current Location Area (LA) of the subscriber's mobile station and Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN). Subscriber-related data is recorded in the HLR 145 from which billing and administrative information is extracted when needed by the cellular service provider. Some wireless networks have only one HLR 145 that serves all subscribers; others have multiple HLRs.

The MSC 140 uses the VLR 150 to manage the wireless devices that are currently roaming in the area controlled by the MSC 140. The VLR 150 stores information such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), authentication data, and telephone number of the roaming wireless devices. The VLR 150 may obtain and comprise subscriber information, such as information about the services to which a roaming wireless device is entitled, from the HLR that serves the wireless device. The VLR 150 controls a pool of MSRN and allocates an MSRN and TMSI to the roaming wireless device. The VLR 150 sends the MSRN and Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) information to the HLR 145 where they are stored with the subscriber's dynamic records for later use in call routing.

The operation subsystem (OSS) 155 may include an Equipment Identity Register (EIR) 160, an Authentication Center (AuC) 165, and an Operating and Maintenance Center (OMC) 170. The OSS 155 may provide subscription management, network operation, network maintenance, and mobile equipment management.

The AuC 165 stores data related to network security and authentication of wireless devices and subscribers. A purpose of the AuC 165 is to prevent fraud by verifying the identity of subscribers and/or devices that try to access the network. Thus the AuC 165 may comprise authentication algorithms and encryption codes necessary to protect a subscriber's access rights and identity and to prevent eavesdropping.

The EIR 160 is a database which stores International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. Wireless devices are uniquely identified by an IMEI or equivalent number such as an Electronic Serial Number (ESN). An EIR 160 generally indicates the status of a particular wireless device by flagging the IMEI of a device identified stolen, suspended, or malfunctioning.

The OMC 170 monitors and controls other network elements (any one or more devices that participate at least occasionally in the operation of the network) to enhance system performance and quality. The OMC 170 also administers billing, subscriber service data, and generation of statistical data on the state and capacity of the network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless network involving multiple base station subsystems and network switching subsystems. A first wireless device 110 communicates with a second wireless device 206. The first wireless device communicates with a first NSS 135 by way of a first BSS 115. The INCM 114 couples the first NSS 135 with a second NSS 202. The second NSS 202 may be part of a network operated by a different provider (e.g. AT&T Wireless™, Verizon Wireless™, and so on) than the first NSS 135. The first and second NSS 135,202 may communicate without use of the INCM 114 when part of a network operated by the same provider. A second wireless device 206 communicates with the second NSS 202 by way of a second BSS 204.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an arrangement to provide location announcement. The MSC 140 is coupled to a service control point (SCP) 306 and an Intelligent Peripheral (IP) 302. The SCP 306 is a network element that is configured with the MSC 140 to become involved with communication events. For example, the SCP 306 may register with the MSC 140 such that the MSC 140 involves the SCP 306 in the process of completing a call. The IP 302 is a network element that can communicate with the MSC 140 to provide additional capabilities in the network. For example, the IP 302 can be designed to intervene in a typical call setup process to provide announcements.

The SCP 306 is coupled to a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 310. The GMLC 310 comprises information about the location of wireless devices that interact with the network. The GMLC 310 may receive this information from various BSS throughout the network. For example, the GMLC 310 may receive information about the location of the wireless device 110 via BSS 115. In some embodiments, functionality of the GMLC 310 may be provided by elements of the BSS 115 and NSS 135.

In another embodiment, the SCP 306 may be coupled to the GMLC 310 by way of a portal. The portal provides an interface between network protocols and services, and Internet protocols and services. For example, the portal could provide an interface whereby communications using Internet Protocol (IP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), or File Transfer Protocol (FTP), to name just a few, result in requests for network services via Signaling System 7 (SS7) or other network communication methods.

FIG. 4 is an action diagram of an embodiment of a method to provide location announcement to a caller. At 404 a first wireless device (WD A) provides to an MSC a called number (an identifier, such as a phone number, of the device or party to call). The SCP is configured to be involved in the establishment of calls, and thus at 408 the MSC provides the called number 408 to the SCP.

At 412 the SCP locates a Friend Finder ID (FF ID) corresponding to the called number. The FF ID is an identification that is used by a GMLC to identify the mobile device for purposes of location. In some embodiments, the FF ID may be the caller's phone number, MSISDN, or other identification of the wireless device employed by the caller.

At 416 the FF ID is provided by the SCP to the GMLC. At 420 the GMLC returns to the SCP location information for a wireless device corresponding to the FF ID. At 424, the SCP provides a number (such as a routing number) of the IP to the MSC. At 428 the SCP provides the location information to the IP.

The MSC may now connect the IP to make voice announcements to the wireless device that made the call. At 432 and 434 the MSC makes a voice connection between the IP and the wireless device that made the call. The IP converts the location information into a voice announcement of the called party's location, for example using Text-to-Speech (TTS) conversion technology. At 436 the announcement is provided to the caller, e.g. “The person you called is at Gilman Street in Redmond, Wash.”.

In another embodiment, the SCP may invoke the Calling Name Address Presentation (CNAP) service, using the called number, in order to provide a name of the called party, as well as their location, to the IP. The IP may then convert the location information and name information to voice information, forming an announcement including the called party's name, e.g. “Joe Baker is at Gilman Street in Redmond, Wash.”. For example, the SCP may interact with a Line Information Database (LIDB), a network element sometimes employed in communication networks to provide CNAP services. The SCP may provide the called number to the LIDB, which returns a corresponding name. In some embodiments, functionality of the LIDB may be provided by network elements of the NSS 135 (e.g. the HLR 145) and/or the OSS 155 (e.g. the EIR 160 or AuC 165).

Prior to, during, or after the announcement, the IP and/or the SCP may interact with the MSC to establish a connection between the calling and called parties, using, for example, known techniques of Customized Applications for Mobile Networks (CAMEL).

FIG. 5 is an action diagram of an embodiment of a method to provide location announcement to a called party. At 504 the calling wireless device (WD A) provides to an MSC a caller number (an identifier, such as a phone number, of the device or party making the call). The SCP has registered to be involved in the establishment of calls, and thus at 508 the MSC provides the called number 508 to the SCP.

At 512 the SCP locates a Friend Finder ID (FF ID) corresponding to the caller number. At 516 the FF ID is provided by the SCP to the GMLC. At 520 the GMLC returns to the SCP location information for a wireless device corresponding to the FF ID. At 524, the SCP provides a number (such as a routing number) of the IP to the MSC. At 528 the SCP provides the location information to the IP.

The MSC may now connect the IP to make voice announcements to the wireless device that receives the call. At 532 and 534 the MSC makes a voice connection between the IP and the wireless device that receives the call. The IP converts the location information into a voice announcement of the calling party's location, for example using Text-to-Speech (TTS) conversion technology. At 538 the announcement is provided to the called wireless device, e.g. “The caller is at Gilman Street in Redmond, Wash.”.

In another embodiment, the SCP may invoke the CNAP service in order to provide a name of the calling party, as well as their location, to the IP. The IP may then convert the location information and name information to voice information, forming an announcement including the called party's name, e.g. “Joe Baker is calling from Gilman Street in Redmond, Wash.”. The SCP may provide the caller's number to the LIDB, which returns a corresponding name.

Prior to, during, or after the announcement, the IP and/or the SCP may interact with the MSC to establish a connection between the calling and called parties, using, for example, known techniques of Customized Applications for Mobile Networks (CAMEL).

FIGS. 6 and 7 are block diagrams of embodiments of an intelligent peripheral and a service control point, respectively. The IP 302 comprises a processor 602 and logic 604 that, when applied to the processor 602, results in acts of the IP 302 as described herein. The IP 302 comprises a port 606 by which interactions may take place with a switch (such as MSC 140), the SCP 306, and possibly other network elements as well.

Herein, “logic” refers to any information having the form of instruction signals and/or data that may be applied to affect the operation of a processing device. Examples of processing devices are computer processors (processing units), microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers and microcontrollers, and so on. Logic may be formed from signals stored in a device memory. Software is one example of such logic. Examples of device memories that may comprise logic include RAM (random access memory), flash memories, ROMS (read-only memories), EPROMS (erasable programmable read-only memories), and EEPROMS. Logic may also be comprised by digital and/or analog hardware circuits, for example, hardware circuits comprising logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations. Logic may be formed from combinations of software and hardware.

The SCP 306 comprises a processor 702 and logic 704 that, when applied to the processor 702, results in acts of the SCP 306 as described herein. The SCP 306 comprises a port 706 by which interactions may take place with a switch (such as MSC 140), the IP 302, the GMLC 310, and possibly other network elements as well.

Claims

1. A method for providing location information to a calling party, the method comprising:

receiving a location and a name of a called party from a service control point (SCP), the location being determined from an address of the called party at a gateway mobile location center (GMLC);

converting the location to a first voice information;

converting the name to a second voice information;

connecting to a wireless device of the calling party through a voice connection; and

announcing the first and second voice information to the wireless device,

wherein the SCP locates a friend finder id corresponding to the address of the called party, transmits the friend finder id to the GMLC, and in response receives the location of the called party from the GMLC.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using text-to-speech to generate the first and second voice information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the address of the called party is provided to the SCP from a mobile switching center (MSC).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the SCP determines the name using calling name address Presentation (CNAP).

5. The method of claim 1, embodied on a computer readable medium and executable by a computer processor.

6. A system for providing location information as a voice announcement, the system comprising:

a mobile switching center (MSC) that initiates a voice connection between a first and a second wireless device on a network;

a service control point (SCP) that determines a name for at least one of the first and second wireless devices;

a gateway mobile location center to determine a location of at least one of the first and second wireless devices; and

at least one Intelligent Peripheral (IP) coupled to the mobile service center, the IP including logic to convert the location and the name to a voice announcement, and to announce the voice announcement to at least one of the first and second wireless devices over the voice connection;

wherein the first wireless device belongs to a calling party and the second wireless device belongs to a called party;

wherein the name and the location correspond to the called party, and

wherein the IP announces the name and location to the first wireless device.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a Line information Database (LIDB).

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a Base Station Subsystem (BSS) that provides the location to the GMLC.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the SCP registers with the MSC such that the MSC invokes the SCP to initiate the voice connection between the first and second wireless devices.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the SCP is coupled to the GMLC via a portal that provides an interface between a network protocol or service and an Internet protocol or service.

11. The system of claim 6, further comprising the first and second wireless devices.